The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Your Guide

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the largest Roman Catholic Church in the United States, is located in Washington D.C. Its dominant silhouette, accompanied by a colorful Byzantine dome and campanile pyramid, overlooks the Catholic University campus and Brookland’s neighborhoods — it is built to endure time and defy history itself. The Basilica is unfortunately not as celebrated as the National Cathedral, partially due to its remote location, but is well worth a visit. The Basilica was built as a shrine to the blessed Virgin Mary, a "monument of love and gratitude, a great hymn in stone as perfect as the art of man can make it and as holy as the intentions of its builders could wish it to be." -- Father Thomas Joseph Shahan.

Even a small garden located at the rear of the Basilica carries her name: Mary’s Garden. More intimate in character it has a features water, roses, and a sculpture by Jon-Joseph Russo, a locally based sculptor. The garden was designed by Brian Kane, ASLA, Place Matters Group.

The Basilica’s dome is visible from many locations on the campus, an iconic presence in the Washington D.C.skyline.

The Holy Shrine

Epistle IV, to Richard Boyle, Earl of Burlington: "Consult the genius of the place in all; / That tells the waters or to rise, or fall; / Or helps th’ ambitious hill the heav’ns to scale, / Or scoops in circling theatres the vale; / Calls in the country, catches opening glades, / Joins willing woods, and varies shades from shades, / Now breaks, or now directs, th’ intending lines; /Paints as you plant, and, as you work, designs."

Image: Claire Bedat

Mary's Garden

Go to Mary’s Garden, a place to ponder or linger.

Image: Claire Bedat

Anticipation

Anticipation, cues left behind, some words, and the sinuous outline of a freshly cut lawn...

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Arrival

A sense of arrival, passing through a gateway, entering a space for the first time.

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The Gift of Discovery, and Surprise...

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Tender Attention

A caring gesture towards a stranger.

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A Building with No Landscape

“A building with no landscape is a man with no shoe.”

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Connecting the Dots

So that the whole is a sum of its parts...

Image: Claire Bedat

Pattern

On a horizontal plane.

Image: Claire Bedat

A Line

A line, a curve, a border...

Image: Claire Bedat

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